Belk Theater Debuts Auracast™ Technology, Improving Listening Experience for Guests
Oct 28, 2026 / Press Releases
CHARLOTTE, NC – Blumenthal Arts is proud to announce the addition of Auracast technology at Belk Theater with the start of the 2026-27 Broadway season on Nov. 3 at the first performance of “Dirty Dancing.”
Blumenthal Arts is the first in the Carolinas to have this service, and joins an exclusive roster of accessibility innovators around the world, as it is offered in select live performance venues, including the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Marriott Theatre in Chicago.
Auracast is a new version of Bluetooth audio that an unlimited number of people can tune into at the same time, with superior audio quality direct from the sound system.
“Bringing this new technology to Blumenthal Arts allows us to give fans an even better experience at our shows. As a hearing aid user myself, I look forward to the improved sound quality, clarity, and convenience Auracast offers,” says Tom Gabbard, President and CEO of Blumenthal Arts. “A very big thank you to John Davis at Sound Advice Hearing Center for helping make this possible.”
The Auracast system and labor for installation was made available to Blumenthal Arts in partnership with John Davis, owner of Sound Advice Hearing Center in Mt. Holly and Fort Mill. “I am so thankful to work in an industry that continues to innovate new technologies that enrich the lives of so many people,” Davis says.
More than 37 million American adults experience hearing difficulties, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. That’s about 15 percent of the population over the age of 18.
Auracast doesn’t require a user to pair their device to access the stream, and delivers clearer sound quality with less delay than classic Bluetooth. Supporting content, such as simultaneous language translation or audio descriptions, can be provided as different streams from the same broadcasting device.
The addition of Auracast has made an immediate impact, says Tommy Cantrell, Blumenthal Arts Director of Front of House Operations. “As we’ve been testing Auracast, guests have responded so positively. The overall experience has improved so much, it’s exceeded our expectations.”
Guests visiting Belk Theater on or after Nov. 3 can find out more information and receive assistance accessing Auracast at coat check, Cantrell says. While there are numerous hearing aid brands, only the most recent models by a few manufacturers have Auracast technology. Patrons with compatible devices will connect to the Belk Theater via their supporting hearing aid app. Once connected, they can control the volume of the audio via their app when the performance begins.
Blumenthal Arts intends to add Auracast technology at additional venues in coming months.
In addition to Auracast, Blumenthal Arts will continue to offer GalaPro (for Broadway performances) and complimentary Assistive Listening Devices using state-of-the-art FM quality sound and multiple volume settings for use by guests in all sections of the Belk Theater. Complimentary Assistive Listening Devices and staff assistance can be found before each show at coat check at the Belk Theater. Blumenthal Arts also offers the Induction Loop, which uses a small receiver (provided by Blumenthal Arts) and induction loop that connects directly to personal hearing aids that feature a Telecoil (T-coil or “T” switch setting).
To learn more about Accessibility and explore additional resources, visit blumenthalarts.org/visit.
MORE ABOUT BLUMENTHAL ARTS
Located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, Blumenthal Arts is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit performing arts organizations, dedicated to enriching lives and building community through the power of the arts. Since opening in 1992, Blumenthal has presented the Carolinas’ largest Broadway season alongside concerts, comedy, dance, and immersive experiences across its four theaters (Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse, Stage Door Theater and Knight Theater). The organization engages more than 150,000 students each year through education and access programs, such as The Blumey Awards. It supports local and emerging artists and invests in the development of new works, earning 13 Tony Awards for its co-productions. Blumenthal has co-produced over 200 productions on Broadway, in London’s West End, and on national tour. Blume Studios is a global leader in presenting and premiering immersive experiences. Hosting more than 1,000 events annually and welcoming millions of guests since its founding, Blumenthal Arts continues to shape Charlotte’s cultural landscape and strengthen the region’s creative economy. For more information, visit blumenthalarts.org.